Here Are 6 Top Hotels for Enjoying the Perseid Meteor Shower

For avid stargazers, this summer's Perseid meteor shower promises a spectacular show: a nearly new moon will create dark skies, free from light interference. Visible across the Northern Hemisphere, the shower is expected to peak on August 12 to 13, with an astonishing rate of about 100 meteors per hour, as reported by the Natural History Museum of London. Fortunately, there are many excellent accommodations across the U.S. that are perfect for witnessing the Perseids, with plenty of prime availability during the peak.

Before we explore the best hotels in the U.S. for viewing the Perseid meteor shower, let's provide some background on the phenomenon and share tips for optimal observation.

What exactly is the Perseid meteor shower?

Like all meteor showers, the Perseids' dazzling “shooting stars” are fragments of comet debris (specifically from comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle) that collide with Earth's atmosphere. These tiny particles burn up upon entry, leaving behind glittering streaks in the sky before fading away.

In typical years, the Perseids yield between 50 and 100 meteors per hour, as reported by NASA. This makes it one of the most prolific annual meteor showers observable in the Northern Hemisphere. It's also famous for its spectacular fireballs—large meteors that burst into vibrant colors and leave long trails as they enter Earth's atmosphere.

Viewing the Perseid Meteor Shower

The Perseids are primarily visible from the Northern Hemisphere. While the shower spans from July 14 to September 1, it peaks in activity around midnight on August 12, lasting until dawn on August 13. This phenomenon occurs near the constellation Perseus in the eastern to northeastern sky. The American Meteor Society recommends looking approximately 45 degrees above the horizon, halfway between the horizon and zenith (the point directly overhead). While telescopes and binoculars aren’t required, allow your eyes about 30 minutes to adjust to the darkness for optimal viewing.

To fully enjoy the Perseids, find a location with unobstructed views of the sky, especially toward the east and northeast, away from city lights. We have you covered with recommendations for seven hotels that offer dark skies and stargazing facilities, with availability still open for mid-August.

1. Enchantment Resort

While the towering red rocks are a major attraction in Sedona, the city's twinkling night skies are equally mesmerizing. In 2014, Sedona was recognized as a dark-sky community by the International Dark Sky Association (IDA), indicating low light pollution and frequently clear night skies—ideal for observing the Perseid meteor shower. To enhance your experience, consider a stay at the 70-acre Enchantment Resort.

This 218-casita resort, situated in the stunning Boynton Canyon, offers guided mountain biking and hiking adventures through sandstone cliffs via the resort's Trail House. The adobe and concrete accommodations feature stylish geometric-patterned throws and pillows. At Enchantment’s Che Ah Chi restaurant, savor a taste of the Southwest with dishes like fresh Sedona rainbow trout and braised elk osso bucco. For stargazers, these delights are just a prelude to the main event: an evening of meteor watching through the resort’s group or private stargazing tours, or simply relaxing under the stars on your personal deck. Starting from $464

2. Alila Ventana Big Sur

Take a detour from Big Sur’s stunning Highway 1 for an evening of watching the Perseid meteors amid the redwoods at Alila Ventana Big Sur. This 59-room retreat, consisting of multi-room accommodations perched on a cliff overlooking the Pacific, attracts astrotourists with its pitch-black California coast skies that sparkle with stars each night.

Enhance your Perseid viewing experience with fresh, local dishes at Alila’s oceanfront Sur House restaurant, or enjoy roasting s’mores by the campfire. You can also try cosmic yoga for an evening of vinyasas under the dazzling fireballs. Alternatively, enjoy the show in the comfort of your own space, whether it’s on your deck, in a hammock, or in the outdoor shower of the Big Sur Forest Shower Suite, or relax in the ocean- and meadow-view hot tub in the Pacific House Suite. Starting from $3,045

3. The Green O

Experience the Perseids fireballs from your private hot tub nestled among the pines at the adults-only Green O, which features 12 chic, stand-alone lodgings set on the forested grounds of the Resort at Paws Up in northwest Montana. For a more immersive experience, ask your Green O host to set up a nighttime picnic with blankets, locally sourced mozzarella pizza, and a bottle of wine anywhere across the resort’s expansive 37,000 acres of wilderness.

While the dazzling meteor shower is a major attraction for a mid-August stay, there’s plenty to do during the day. Enjoy on-site hiking trails that start just steps from your door, horseback rides along the picturesque Blackfoot River, or hot air balloon excursions over the stunning Swan Mountains. End your day with an exquisite eight-course tasting menu at the Green O Social Haus, featuring rock-seared wagyu beef from Hokkaido, Japan, and a luxurious gold-dipped honeycomb dessert. From $4,214, three-night minimum

4. Missing Hotel

The concept behind Texas Hill Country’s secluded Missing Hotel is to embrace its name: disappear into nature. Guests can spend their days hiking and mountain biking along the oak-shaded trails, and at night in August, enjoy the Perseids from their private pools. This collection of 10 geodesic domes and glamping cabins is designed for stargazing, offering nearly 180-degree views of the forests and night skies from the domes, while traditional cabins include skylights for celestial viewing. Each cabin features a soaking pool, and the Luna, Zephyr, and Ukiyo domes come equipped with mini hot tubs.

While the property lacks on-site dining, staff can supply fire starters, a grill top, and grilling tools for campfire feasts on private patio firepits. For those who prefer dining out, nearby towns like Liberty Hill, just a 15-minute drive away, offer restaurants. Consider Hell or Highwater Brewing for craft beer and Texas comfort dishes like pork-stuffed nachos and fried-chicken penne pasta, or Agape BBQ, a casual backyard-style barbecue spot serving brisket, pulled pork, and sausage. From $413

5. Chatham Bars Inn

Chatham Bars Inn, a 217-room waterfront haven in Cape Cod, is nestled on a private beach, perfect for a seaside stargazing getaway. Participate in weekly night-sky events hosted by a resident astronomer or enjoy the Perseids from the sugar-sand beach. In the inn’s ocean-view suites, you can gaze at the stars from your own private terrace.

From every vantage point in the inn, the sea and stars create a stunning backdrop, whether you're savoring oysters and lobster at the Atlantic Ocean-view Stars restaurant or enjoying a private beach clambake featuring Chatham steamers, oysters, littleneck clams, cocktails, and s’mores. From $785

6. Open Sky

Famous for its impressive sandstone cliffs and canyons, Zion National Park boasts towering red rock formations and juniper-covered slopes. The park earned IDA certification as a dark-sky park in 2021, making it a prime location to witness the Perseids in all their glory. The glamping retreat Open Sky, just a 20-minute drive from Zion’s entrance, elevates the meteor-viewing experience with stylish overnight accommodations.

Open Sky offers 12 canvas tents, including the Star Seeker suites, which are a favorite among stargazers thanks to their oversized wall and ceiling windows, along with in-suite telescopes. Each accommodation features private patios perfect for enjoying the night sky. Kick off your meteor-shower journey at the fairy-light-adorned outdoor Black Sage, Open Sky’s on-site restaurant, where you can indulge in local specialties like Utah trout cakes and jackfruit-stuffed tostadas. From $809; two-night minimum